Tristen Maddox, a softball standout, from East Texas Baptist State University was named the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Maddox will be honored alongside the Class of 2024 and the Honda Cup winner on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7 PM ET, in New York City.

Finalists for the DIII award included Kristina Akselsen (Soccer, Messiah), Alexis Boykin (Track & Field, MIT), Natalie Bruns (Basketball, NYU), Olivia Foley (Volleyball, Juniata), Amy Griffin (Field Hockey, Middlebury), Rena Lin (Tennis, Chicago), Kaley McIntyre (Swimming, NYU), Hope Shue (Lacrosse, Middlebury), Fiona Smith (Cross Country, Saint Benedict) and Alison Takamiya (Golf, George Fox).

“It is such an honor and a blessing to receive this award,” said Maddox. “I would not have been able to do this without my teammates and coaches pushing me to do better and without my friends and family who have continued to support me in everything I do. I am very thankful to be part of such a loving community and to be able to make my friends and family proud and so thankful that God put me on the path to meet the people who have helped me grow in my athletic journey and as a person.”

Most recently, Maddox was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) DIII National Player of the Year after leading her team to the 2024 NCAA Championship title. The shortstop was also named the 2024 NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player for her efforts after she hit .333 recording eight RBI, two homers and four stolen bases in the championship series.

Hailing from Mission, Texas, she is a three-time NFCA All-America honoree including two First Team nods and is a four-time First Team All-American Southwest Conference (ASC) performer. She earned back-to-back ASC Player of the Year honors, the first time the conference had a back-to-back winner since 2014, and was named the 2024 ASC Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

The senior led the ASC in runs scored (69), hits (69), doubles (16), home runs (17), and RBI (63) and her home runs ranked sixth in the nation in DIII. She batted .437 on the season and holds the ETBU career record for doubles (54).

“What an honor it is for Tristen to receive the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year award,” stated head coach Janae Shirley. “The impact that she has made on our program both as an athlete and as a leader has been tremendous. She truly is the definition of a coach’s dream - she works hard, competes, is humble, kind, an amazing leader, as well as an incredible athlete. We are so proud of her and the woman she is.”

The CWSA, entering its 48th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs. 

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.